Host Pakistan Eliminated in Stunning Upset
Dubai – In a high-voltage clash at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, India delivered a commanding performance to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets, securing a spot in the semi-finals while knocking the hosts out of the tournament.
Virat Kohli rolled back the years with a masterful 51st ODI century, reaching the landmark in 111 balls, guiding India to a comfortable chase of 242 at the Dubai International Stadium. Kohli’s sublime knock, laced with seven boundaries, was complemented by Shreyas Iyer’s crucial 56 off 67 balls as India sealed victory with 45 balls to spare in front of a packed stadium.
Clinical Bowling Restricts Pakistan to 241
Opting to bat first on a slow surface, Pakistan appeared steady early on, with Saud Shakeel (62) and Mohammad Rizwan (46) stitching a crucial 104-run partnership. However, their cautious approach hampered the scoring rate, and a sudden collapse from 151-2 saw Pakistan bundled out for 241 in 49.4 overs.
Kuldeep Yadav’s brilliant spell of 3-40 and Hardik Pandya’s disciplined 2-31 ensured Pakistan never gained momentum. The total fell well short of expectations, and India’s disciplined bowling attack capitalized on the hosts’ struggles.
Kohli, Iyer Take India Home After Early Jolts
India’s chase began with fireworks as Rohit Sharma launched Naseem Shah for a boundary and a six, becoming the sixth batter to surpass 9,000 runs as an ODI opener. However, his innings was cut short by a sensational in-swinging yorker from Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Shubman Gill looked fluent, dispatching Shaheen for five exquisite boundaries, but fell for 46 to a ripping carrom ball from wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed. Kohli, however, took charge, building a crucial 114-run stand with Iyer to anchor the chase.
Kohli reached his half-century with a lofted four off Naseem before dispatching Shaheen for another boundary. Iyer, after a slow start, accelerated with back-to-back fours off Khushdil Shah, capitalizing on Pakistan’s fielding lapses. Eventually, India comfortably crossed the finish line, reaffirming their dominance over their arch-rivals.
Kohli Re-Enters Top Five in ICC ODI Rankings
Dubai – Following his match-winning century against Pakistan, Virat Kohli has climbed back into the top five of the ICC Men’s ODI Batting Rankings.
The Indian batting maestro jumped one place to fifth after his 51st ODI hundred, making India the only team with three batters inside the top five. Shubman Gill continues to reign at No. 1, while Rohit Sharma holds the third position.
Gill has widened his lead over Pakistan’s Babar Azam, who remains second despite a lackluster campaign. Kohli’s resurgence marks the only significant movement inside the top 10, but several other batters have made notable strides just outside the elite bracket.
New Zealand’s Will Young surged eight places to 14th, while England’s Ben Duckett (up 27 spots to joint 17th) and Rachin Ravindra (up 18 spots to 24th) made remarkable progress after their impactful performances in the tournament.
With the semi-finals now set, India’s dominance in the Champions Trophy continues, and Kohli’s resurgence adds further firepower to their title ambitions.